Return To Falcon Ridge

Return To Falcon Ridge
Rita Herron

As a child, Elsie Timmons had barely escaped Wildcat Manor with her life. As an adult, she'd mysteriously inherited the crumbling structure, ghosts and all. Now, after a lifetime spent running from her past, Elsie was ready to confront her demons and expose the orphanage's long-buried secrets…until Deke Falcon threw a wrench in her plans.The enigmatic P.I. was hired to reunite her with the mother she'd never known, but before she could return with Deke to Falcon Ridge, evil forces threatened the future Elsie only recently considered. Luckily, she had Deke on her side - for protection, for comfort…forever?

“Are you only being nice to me because you think you owe it to my family?”

Elsie’s blunt comment took him off guard. “I… At first that was the reason.”

“And now?”

Wariness darkened her eyes, but desire also flickered in the depths. Deke didn’t quite know how to answer.

“Now…” He hesitated, hating the churning in his stomach. “Now I want to protect you.”

Disappointment tightened her mouth. “Because you think I’m helpless? Well, I’m not, Deke. I know how to fight, how to take care of myself, how to shoot that gun. And I won’t hesitate to do it.”

“That doesn’t mean you have to face everything alone all the time, Elsie.”

Emotions clouded her eyes. “I don’t know any other way.”

He twined her fingers in his own, stroking her palm with his other hand as he pulled her into his lap. “Let me show you.”

Return to Falcon Ridge

Rita Herron

To all those fans who read The Man from Falcon Ridge and asked for Elsie’s story—hope you enjoy!

And to Jenny Bent for loving the dark, creepy stuff!

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Award-winning author Rita Herron wrote her first book when she was twelve, but didn’t think real people grew up to be writers. Now she writes so she doesn’t have to get a real job. A former kindergarten teacher and workshop leader, she traded her storytelling for kids for romance, and writes romantic comedies and romantic suspense. She lives in Georgia with her own romantic hero and three kids. She loves to hear from readers, so please write her at P.O. Box 921225, Norcross, GA 30092-1225, or visit her Web site at www.ritaherron.com.

CAST OF CHARACTERS

Deke Falcon—A tough P.I. with a soft spot for wounded birds of prey—and women in trouble.

Elsie Timmons—She disappeared twenty years ago. But now that she’s returned to Wildcat, Tennessee, someone wants her dead.

Howard Hodges—Just the thought of the man gives Elsie nightmares. Will the vile acts he committed against the girls at Wildcat Manor be exposed?

Hattie Mae Hodges—Did she die of natural causes, or was she murdered to stop her from telling the truth about what happened at Wildcat Manor?

Sheriff Andy Bush—He vowed to protect the citizens of Wildcat—but he wants Elsie run out of town at any cost.

Dr. Morty Mires—He provided health care for the pregnant teens housed at Wildcat Manor. But what is he hiding?

Burt Thompson—How far will he go to keep Elsie from digging up the past?

Renee Leberman—The social worker who helped arrange the adoptions for the pregnant teens died suddenly. What secrets did she take to her grave?

Eleanor Cross & Donna Burgess—They both adopted babies from teens at the orphanage, and will do anything to stop Elsie from exposing the adoptions.

Contents

Prologue

Chapter One

Chapter Two

Chapter Three

Chapter Four

Chapter Five

Chapter Six

Chapter Seven

Chapter Eight

Chapter Nine

Chapter Ten

Chapter Eleven

Chapter Twelve

Chapter Thirteen

Chapter Fourteen

Chapter Fifteen

Chapter Sixteen

Chapter Seventeen

Chapter Eighteen

Chapter Nineteen

Prologue

She was going to die in Wildcat Manor.